A corfobation of west virgikta



BEST AVAILABLE COP Dec. 23, 1930. H. J. L. FRANK FUSED SWITCHING DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 12. 1927 IN V EN TOR.

BY Mug,

A TTORNEY.

Rea-ed Dec. 23, 1930 BEST AVAILABLE cop PTENT OFFEQ- HARRISON J. L. FRANK, OF DETROIT, KIGHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO B'UIiL DOG ELECTRIC PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A. CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

FUSED SWITCHING DEVICE Original 110. 1,783,370, (1mm scribed wherein the plug and receptacle are provided with cooperating barrier forming portions and slots, adapted to form a complete end-to-end barrier between parts of opposite polarity, and adapted to guide the plug into position in the receptacle, thereby facilitating quick switching and plugging of the device.

A further object is a form of plug and re-- ceptacle construction wherein the plug may be inserted in the rece tacle in either of two positions, a switch on position and aswitch oif position, one characteristic bein that, regardless of the-position occupied by the lug, its surface does not substantially pro- ]ect above the surface of the receptacle. In other words, the plug does not interfere with the closing of the switch box door'us'ually p'ovided above the receptacle, when it has en inserted, A still further object is a novel form of switch, one which can be partially and manually inserted into the receptacle and which is automatically forced into itsfinal position by the closing of the usual switch box door.

A still further object is a plug and' receptacle switch wherein the plug is so formed that it completely closesthe receptacle before or as soon as the plug contacts engage .the receptacle contacts, in order to prevent access to the plug contacts when they have been made live upon engagement with receptacle contacts. I

An even further object is a plug carrying fuse clips and auxiliary and mechanically independent contact prongselec'trically con- 0ctoher-29, 1929, Serial No. 160,751, filed January 12, 1927. Application for reissue filed June 9, 1930. Serial No. 460,069.

nected to said clips,.- as distinguished from previously used constructions of this character wherein the fuse clips themselves are used as contact making devices.

A still further object is a plug and receptacle which wherein the plug is insertable in the receptacle, frontwards or backwards, the plug carrying a,handle so formed and so positioned with respect to the parts that it will not engage receptacle contacts when the plug has been inserted in the receptacle with the handle member towards the latter, the plug being provided with portions shielding the handle from the receptacle contacts, if desired.

A further object is a fuse'plug having a barrier between fuses and parts of opposite polarity.

A further object is a plug and receptacle switch wherein the receptacle is adapted to hold the plug in position, regardless of what that position might be.

Astill further object is a novel form of plug and receptacle switch wherein the plug is provided with contacts and fuses on one side only, the other side being left blank so that when the plug is inserted in the receptacle with the contacts and fuses exposed, no contact orfuse parts will be positioned near the receptacle contacts, or in exposed relation with respect to the same. 7

An even further object is a novel form of plug and receptacle switch, one which is adapted for use with heavy currents and which at the same time, is much more compact and efficient of operation than: similar constructions heretofore provided; I

Still further objects will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following description and the accompanying I drawing in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a cabinet involving the invention and adapted for two fuses.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 22 of 1. 1 A ig. 3 is a cross section on line 33 of Fig. 1, the plug being in switch on,- position. Fig. 4 is a sectionon line 4-4 of Fig. 1, the plug being in switch on. position; and

BEST AVAILABLE COP.

Fig. 5 is a section like that of Fig. 4 but with the plug in reversed or switch off position,

In the drawings there is indicated at a metal cabinet provided with a flanged cover ll' ha'ving a depressed central portion 12 cut out at its central part and forming a mask for that part of the interior of the cabinet surrounding the receptacle (to-be described in detail) and forming a chamber or com-- partmentlii. Over the depressed portion 12;

may be, hinged a door 14 as shown-in Fig. 1.

The receptacle consists of arectangular cup-shaped socket of insulating material having at each end an extension ofifoot 211' and one or'more' openings22 to the inside of the cup immediately above the foot 21. Also,

' at each end inside the cup, on the longitudiprovided on its under surface with a rib 36 nal center line, thereof, is a vertical" rib or barrier forming portion 23.

The current carryingwires 29 are led into the cabinet 10 thru suitable openings (not shown) and are secured to-L-shapedcontacts 30'on top of the feet21, as shown in Fig. 2, which contacts, 30 extend thru openings 22 into the interior of receptacle 20 at the ends thereof, the contacts 30 being of spring material and divided as shown in this fi ure so that a cooperating plugtinger or blade may be inserted. between them. It is preferred to shield or protect the contacts 30 against accidental'contact with theendsof the fuses by securing, in receptacle 20,- strips 20a of insulating n'iaterial'extending up in front of the I contacts 30 as indicated in Fig. 2, the strips! 20a also preventing accidental connection between contactsBO due to other causes.

Cooperating with receptacle 20 is apl'ng 35 adapted ,tofit into the receptacle. This plug:

is. rectangular in its upper portion and is cooperating withthe ribs 23 to divide the lower part of the receptacle interior into two compartments, ribs 23 and 36 cooperatlng to form a complete end-to-end'barrier when theplug has been inserted in the receptacle. The plug 35, at its ends, has vertical grooves 36a cooperating with ribs 23 and thereby "guiding the plug into the receptacle and facilitating quick switching action.

On the under side of'the plug,.and-on each side of rib or barrier 36, there is provided a plurality of U shaped fuse holding clips 37,

to the bight portions of which are attached" the L-shaped auxiliary contact blades 38, the latter being longitudinally spaced'from the clipsand extending downwardly, so as to be adapted to be inserted between the two parts :of contacts 30, asindicated in Fig. 2..

Plug 35' is removable with thefuses 40 inclips37 so that the fuses may be replaced-v with safety, at a distance from the live receptacle contacts 30. It is also reversible so that the contact members 30 may, be-separated by the insulating material of the plug and may be completely covered thereby. When the plug is reversed the contacts 30 support the block by means of shoulders 45' which extend over the members,

leads 29. Further, the slotted barrier construction permits the plug to be inserted in and in this reversed posivtion, of course, no current can flow through reversed position and rest on the bottom of e v the receptacle, as willbe observed.

In orderto. facilitate the removal of the block 35 asmallbail or handle 35a-is provid ed, the bail beingpreferably hinged so that it. will be flat when not-being used, and also i being disposed in a recess 35?; in the face of.

the plug.

j It is also preferred to make the plug and j receptacle switch and the cabinet of such relative proportionsthat the door of. the latter, in closing;.will push the plug 35 into its final p0sition,-if this has not already been done by the operator.'

While the switch has been described as adapted for'two fuses, it is, of course, obvious, that it may be adapted for any number of fuses and such adaptation is 'contem'- plated; It is also contemplated to provide.

lugs 35 with fuse clips for different sizes of usesso that the same cabinet may be used for systems designed for different current-s. Further, the fuse clips may be omitted and conducting strips used, andin this case the device becomes an ordinary switch, instead of a fused switch.

The device, constructed as described,pro

videsa neat and compact instrumentality, in

which the live conductors are completely covered ,whenthe plug 35 is in place and which provides efiiciently against accidental contact with the live terminals 30 when the plug is out as such-terminals are located,-

within the socket 20 and are completely surrounded by insulating material, as shown.

It-wi11 thus be observed thatthere has been providedfla switch having cooperating barrier portions 23 and 36 adapted, when brought together, to form a complete end-tollJ end barrier between the fuses 40 and also adapted to facilitate guiding of the plug 35 into its properposition-in the receptacle 20.

Further, it will be'obsei'ved. that (Figs. 4

plug 35 does not project above and 5) the the receptacle 20 a substantial distance, thereby permitting closing of the cover 14 whether the plug be'i'n the switch on position of'Fig- 4 or the switch E position of 1 Fig. 5.

It will'also be observed: that when the plug is to-be placed in the receptacle,'it can be partially inserted'therein by closing-- of the, door 14 plug 35, force's it-hoine. Further,

that when the plug isinserted in; the receptacle, the latter is completely closed. before Fig.- 4 readily discloses the fact.

the operator, the final. step of insertion being caused by the which, striking the 353T AVAILABLE COP.

the contacts of the lug engage the contacts of the receptacle, t us preventing access to the plug contacts as soon as they have been made live by engagement with the receptacle contacts. Similarly, in withdrawing the plug, the receptacle is closed all the while these walls serving also to shield the handle I from the contact. 1

Furthermore, Figs. 4 and 5 disclose the closeness of the fit between the plug and the receptacle 20, this feature among other things, servingto hold the plug in its posi tion in the -receptacle whetherthat position be the switch-,on or switch oif position.

It will further be observed from Fig. 5 that the surface of the plug opposite the contact supporting surface is free ofprojections 3n which might possibly engage the contacts in the receptacle, this feature preserving the separation of the receptacle contacts and also preventing undesired connection thereof to the plu parts.

:15 Furt er, it will readily be seen that the plugand receptacle form an extremely compact and efficient switch adapted for use with heavy currents and manufactured muchmore economically than switches heretofore used for this purpose. i

' Now, having described the invention, and the preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood; that the said invention is to be limited, not to the details herein set forth,

4'5 butonly by the scope of the claims which follow.

Icla'im: 1. In a fusing device, a cup-shaped socket of insulating material having ribs on opposite walls, contact members in the bottom of said socket on opposite sides of said ribs, a fuse block of insulating material having a rib thereon with fuse holding and contact means on either side thereof, said fuse block adapted to fit into said socket and make contact between said means and members with said ribs in alignment whereby to form a dividin wall between said fuses and contacts.

2. n a fusing device, a cup-shaped socket of insulating material having contact members therein connected to suitable conductors, means in said socket to preventaccidental contact with said members, and a-block of insulating material carrying fuses on one side thereof adapted to fit into said socket and connect said contact members 'thru the fuses, said block also adapted to fit into said socketin reversed position and thereby Lever said contact mom said contact members.

3. In combination, a cup shaped female member anda plug like male member, the latter having contacts thereon connected by and receiving a cartridge fuse, and adapted to cooperate with contacts in the female member, said members having cooperating insulation formations adapted to guide the male member into switching engagement with said female member, said formations being so arranged that the male member closes the opening in the female member before the contacts are in engagement, whereby to shield the latter.

4. In combination, a female switch member, and a male switch member, cooperating pairs of contacts on said members, a fuse on said male member between contacts thereon, said male portion being insertable in said female member in contact engaging position and also being insertable in said female member in reversed or contact separating open switch position, the side of said male member opposite the contacts thereon being free of pro1ections which might engage the contacts in said female member when the male member is inserted therein invits open switch position.

5. A switching device comprising a female member having contact members adapted to be connected to current leads, a male member shaped to fit substantially wholly ers and separate the fuses from within said female member in either of two opposite positions and close the same, said male member carrying on one' face means for holding a fuse and contact members connected with'the ends thereof, the latter being so located as to coact withthe first mentioned contact members, and means in said. female member to substantially completely shield the current carrying parts M when said male member is removed.

6. A switching device comprising a female member in the form' of a cup having in its ends contact members adapted to be connected to current leads, a male member shaped to fit substantially wholly within the opening of said cup in either of two positions and close. the. same, said male member carrying on. one face means for holding a fuse' and contact members connected with the ends thereof, the latter being so locateda's to coact with the first mentioned contact members when the male member is. in the cup, and

means in said cup to substantially completely shield the' current carrying parts when said male member is removed therefrom.

7. In a switching device, a receptacle having a plurality ofcontactstherein, and a plug having a plurality of contacts on one jside thereof adapted to cooperate with said l receptacle contacts and having a handle memher on' the other side, said plug and recepta- ,'cle being so 'formed that the plug maybe disposed within the receptacle with'the contacts thereon extending outwardly, said handle member being pivotally mounted on the plug so that when the latter is inserted in the or contacts.

receptacle with its contacts extending out wardly, the handle member will swing out of engagement'with any of the receptacle parts 8. In a switch cabinet provided with a door, a receptacle, and a plug adapted to fit inside said receptacle with its contacts exposed or unexposed, said receptacle and plug being so formed that when the-plug is'within the receptacle with its contacts exposed, the level of the latter isbelow the level of the door whereby the door may close without engaging said plug.

9. Ina switch, a receptacle having barrier portions extending inwardly therefrom from end walls thereof, and a plug having slots in its end walls aligned with and of a size substantially like that of the barrier portions, the latter being adapted to cooperate with the slots in the plug to guide the plug into switching engagement with the receptacle,

10. In a switch, a receptacle having con.- tacts therein, and a plug having contacts on one sidethereof, the'plug being insertable in said receptacle with the contacts ex osed or unexposed, said plug and receptacle eing so formed that the plug is substantially entirely within the receptacle when inserted in switch on or switch oif position, said plug being cut away so as not to engage the receptacle contacts when inserted in the switch off position.

11. In a switching device, a receptacle having a plurality of contacts therein, and a plug having a plurality of contacts on one side thereof adapted to cooperate'with said receptacle contacts, and having a handle meniher on the other side, said plug and receptacle being so formed that the plug may be,

' disposed within the receptacle With the contacts thereon extending outwardly, said handle member being pivotally mounted in a recess on the plug so that, when the latter is inserted in the receptacle with its contacts extending outwardly, the handle member will swing out .of engagement withany of the receptacle parts or contacts.

, .12. In a switch, a receptacle having spaced align ed barrier forming portions, contacts of oppositepolarity on opposite sides of saidv barrier portions, a plug having a barrier forming portion and fuses and contacts of opposite polarity on'opposite sides of said plug barrier portions, all of said barrier portions forming a complete end-to-end barrier between parts of opposite polarity when the is partially or completely inserted in said receptacle. c

.rier portions extending from end walls thereof,

aligned with said ,adapted to vcooperate withthe slots in the 13.;In a switching device, a receptacle having shielded ,contact members, a plug 14. In a switching device,a,receptacl e ha'ving shielded contact members, a plug carry:

,. mg fuses on one side only'thereof adapted to fit into said receptacle and connect said contacts thru said fuses, said blockalso be- 7 ing adapted to fit in said receptacle in reversed position and separate said fuses from said contacts, and also to cover said contacts.

15. In combination, a contact containing receptacle and acontact supporting plu the latter having a cartridge fuse connecting and received in the contacts thereon, said receptacle and plug having cooperating formations whereby insertionof the plug in the receptacle closes the'latter before the contacts thereon are in mutual engagement and whereby upon withdrawal of the plug, the contacts are withdrawn from the mutual engagement before the plug is withdrawn from the receptacle.

16. A switching device comprising a cup shaped female member having therein contacts and a male member adapted to enter and be received within said female member and close the same, said male member being provided with contacts adapted to coast with 1 the first mentioned contacts, the contacts of one of said members being provided with means for holding a cartridge fuse in place, the latter serving to connect in series the last mentioned contacts, all live portions of said members being covered with protec- 17. Ina device of the character described, 1.

in which coacting parts in one position close thecircuit thru the device andin another position, maintain said circuit open, means to maintain the said parts in assembly but in open circuit relation, said means being L so located as not to interfere with the placing of the parts in closed circuit relation.

18. In a switch, a receptacle having has inwardly therefrom and a plug having slots in its end walls aligned with and of a size substantially like .that of the barrier portions and also having a barrier portion slots, the latter being ill BEST AVAILABLE COP\ plug to guide the plug into switching engagement with the receptacle and to cooperate with the plug barrier portion to form a com lete end-to-end barrier.

19. n a switch, a receptacle having contacts therein, and a plug having contacts on one side thereof, the plug being insertable in said receptacle with the contacts exposed or unexposed, said plug and receptacle being so formed that the plug is substantially entirely within the receptacle when inserted in switch on or switch off position.

20. In a switch, a receptacle, and a. plug having contacts on one side only thereof, and adapted to be inserted in said receptaclewith the contacts exposed or unexposed, said plug and receptacle being closely fitting and being so formed that the receptacle maintains the plug in place whether the plug be in its circuit making or in its circuit breaking position.

21. In a switch, a receptacle member and a plug member, slots in end Walls of one of the members and portions projecting from end walls of the other of the members, the slots being of a size to receive closely the projecting portions, the latter serving to cooperate with the slotted portions to guide the plug into switching engagement with the 30 receptacle.

22. In a switch, va receptacle having spaced barrier forming portions, contacts of op posite polarity on opposite sides of said barrier portions, a plug having barrier form- 35 ing portions and fuses and contacts of 0pposite polarity .on opposite sides of said plug arrier portions, all of said barrier portions cooperating, when the plug is in the receptacle, to form; a barrier between parts of opposite, polarity.

HARRISON J. L. FRANK; 

